Conductive coatings for PEM fuel cell electrodes
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDavid Eddy, Jeannine Hogan, Joseph Mantese, Charles Oakley
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Abstract
A bipolar plate for use in a stack of fuel cell modules includes a bipolar plate that has at least one surface containing a metal alloy oxidizable to form a metal oxide having a surface resistance no greater than about 0.007 ohm-cm2. The metal alloy is oxidized to form a layer of metal oxide having a thickness of about 10−8 cm to about 10−2 cm and a resistivity no greater than about 107 ohm-cm. In addition to their use in fuel cells, the alloys can be employed to form conductive surfaces of electrical contacts useful for various electrical devices.
Claims35
A bipolar plate for use in a stack of fuel cell modules, said bipolar plate comprising at least one surface comprising a metal alloy oxidizable to form a metal oxide having a surface resistance no greater than about 0.007 ohm-cm2.
A bipolar plate for use in a stack of fuel cell fuel cell modules, said bipolar plate comprising at least one surface comprising a metal alloy oxidizable to a layer of metal oxide having a thickness of about 10−8 cm to about 10−2 cm and a resistivity no greater than about 107 ohm-cm.
A fuel cell assembly comprising at least one bipolar plate having at least one surface comprising a metal alloy oxidizable to form a metal oxide having a surface resistance no greater than about 0.007 ohms-cm2.
A process for forming a bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell assembly, said process comprising the steps of:
- a) forming a substrate from a conductive metal;
- and
- b) depositing a layer on at least one surface of said substrate, said layer comprising a metal alloy oxidizable to a metal oxide having a surface resistance no greater than about 0.007 ohms-cm2.
An electrical contact for use in an electrical device comprising a surface comprising a metal alloy oxidizable to form a metal oxide having a surface resistance no greater than about 0.007 ohm-cm2.
An electrical contact for use in an electrical device comprising a surface comprising a metal alloy oxidizable to form a metal oxide having a thickness of about 10−8 cm to about 10−2 cm and a resistivity no greater than about 107 ohm-cm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.